{UHCL THRIVES ON PARTNERSHIPS}

Photo by Beryl Striewski

UH-Clear Lake President William A. Staples, left, and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Jim Reinhartsen have worked closely for more than a decade, fostering a spirit of support for partnerships that enhance the quality of life and economic development of the region.

A university is a type of partnership by definition. The Latin universitas can be translated to mean society or community, and when used to apply to institutes of learning, the term means community of scholars and masters. The modern university still follows the historical model of a collection of schools and programs that come together to create a community of learning. But as universities innovate to meet the needs of modern learners, a single campus composed of strictly defined fields of study no longer fits the bill.

UHCL’s community-minded, partnership-oriented philosophy ensures academic programs and educational opportunities remain relevant. Offering new multi-disciplinary degrees interlaced with advanced technology, coursework available online at all times or on-site at various locations, as well as a diverse range of community outreach initiatives, UHCL exemplifies the classic identity of a university using 21st-century methods.

As you peruse this issue of Egret, particularly the feature section, I hope you enjoy learning about some of UHCL’s collaborative endeavors and consider taking an active role in your university.

Warm regards,

William A. Staples
President